I had no plans on finally seeing the Museum in Revelstoke. It just happened. No telling how many times I had driven past while going to and from Calgary. Usually about 9AM for breakfast on the way east and near 4PM for a beer and finger food on the way back. Although I never did find a really nice pub I’m sure there is one.
On this day I just hopped in the Mustang, top down, camera in the back, and left the driveway. Everything a beautiful mid summer’s day is supposed to offer. Three hours later, a long overdue museum visit occurred to me as an eastbound stack train crossed the bridge beside me and slowed into downtown. Stopping, the train blocks access to the museum parking lot as crews change about a kilometer up Victoria Road. The Google street view proves my point. It happens.
Victoria Road turns south and then southwest as it follows the still visible CPR roadbed into Arrow Lake country. Access to the yard is restricted as you might expect (Not like those old days eh?) but there is still plenty to see and photograph as frequent trains, east and west, exit the yard right next to the road, with the sun at your back.
On this perfect short sleeve day there were still obvious reminders that this is high mountain snow country for the better part of the year. Classic CPR wedge plows and spreader rest in the sun on a roadside track. As I write this I’m sure they’re all hard at work somewhere up on Rogers Pass.